Poultry-feeding device



June 12, 1928. 1,673,758

6. c. PARTLOW POULTRY FEEDI NG DEVI C E Filed Feb. 26, 1925 2Sheets-Sheet 2 w jnveutoz 6/11/09 6. Par/70w Patented June 12, 1928.

This invention relates to stock feeding de- An important object of theinvention is to feed to the stock.

Another important ob ect of the invention including means whereby theproportion of amounts of different kinds of food can be v i readily andeasily varied by a slight adjustfulcrum bar 25 for a purpose to behereinment of the device.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a. devicefor dispensing different kinds of food, and which will automaticallyposition food of one kind out of reach of the stock when another kind offood is made accessible.

Other objects and advantages of the iiiof the following description.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the feeding device in use,

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section through a part of the device onthe line t10H f t l CG- 2--2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the fulcrum member,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan of the fulcrum bar and showingthe graduations thereon,

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of descllbed hereinafterone ofthe feed dispensing devices.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the lower end thereof,

Figure 7 is a side elevation of another dispensing device associatedwith the fulcrum bar, parts being removed to illustrate the Set, gel-6W2r} extends through the top of the fulcrum l'locl; to enter the opening2; l

and to ci'igage the bar 25 in order to retain the latter in any desiredadjusted position.

The proportioning or fulcrum bar 25 is an elongated rectilinear member,and, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 4, is prointerior construction,and

Figure 8 is a side elevation of another embodiment of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 12 designates asupport which may be secured to a post. ceiling or any other suitablestationary member. In vided with graduations 26. the presentillustration, in Figures 1 and 2, this support consists of a brackethaving one end folded upon itself to form front and rear walls 13 and14: arranged in spaced parallel relationship. The rear wall 1% is pro-CHILDS C. PARTLOW, GF ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA.

POULTRY-FEEDING DEVICE.

Application filed February 26, 1925. Serial No. 11,796.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- vided with an offset portion 15 above theupper edge of the front wall to form a shoulder overhanging the spacebetween the two provide a feeding device which will autowalls. Thesewalls of the bracket are pro- 5 inaticallv deliver predetermined amountsof vided with three vertical rows of perforations 16, 17 and 18, therows of the front after set forth.

wall registering with the rows of perforais to provide a device of theabove character, tions in the rear wall. A pin 11 is associated with aperforation of each row 16 and 18 for limiting the swinging movement ofa A fulcrum member 19, as clearly shown in Figure 3, consists, in thepresent instance, of a substantially rectangular block adapted to bereceived for pivotal movement between the walls 13 and letof the support12. A longitudinal row of apertures 20 extends transversely through theblock, any one of ti ill b pparent during the course, which willaccommodate a fulcrum pin 21, which is adapted to also extend throughany selected pair of registering perforations in the row 17 of the wallsof the bracket for pivotally supporting the fulcrum block. nut isreceived on an end of the bolt which forms the fulcrum pin forpreventing its accidental displacement during opera It is to beparticularly noted that most of the apertures 20 of the fulcrum memberare arranged below the center thereof for the purpose of preventing thefulcrum block from reaching an equilibrium during operation of theapparatus, as will be more fully A transverse opening 28 is provided inthe upper end of the fulcrum block to 2;- tend through opposite sidesthereof in order that a graduated proportioning bar may be slidably andadjustably mounted therein.

As best seen in Figure 4;, these graduations begin adjacent the centerof the bar and extend toward opposite ends thereof. The sub-divisionsdefined by the graduations are of equal size and the designationstherefor are the same on opposite sides of the center of the bar. In thepresent instance, it will be noted that designations indicated by thenumeral 27, beginnin at one end of the bar, range. from 20 up to 00toward the center of the bar, and from 50 to from the center toward thesame end of the bar, and the set of designations indicated by thenumeral on the opposite end of the bar are arranged in correspondingfashion, the designations 50 of both series coinciding at the center ofthe bar so that the graduations will read from Qt) up to St), startingfrom either end of the bar.

Each end of the proportioning bar 25 is provided with a longitudinallyextending series of apertures 29 adjacent the free ends thereof for thesuspension of the feed dispensing means 30 and 31 at either end of thebar and upon opposite sides of the fulcrum thereof. This feed dispensingmeans may be of any suitable kind, and, in fact, may be buckets or panssuspended from the ends of the bar. However, in the present instance. Ihave illust 'ated two differenttypes of dispensing means associated withthe proportioning bar 25 and which have a peculiar operation, due totheir associa tion with the bar. A full description of these feeddispensing means will be presently given.

In order that the bar can be balanced prior to the operation of thedevice and for a purpose which will more clearly appear hereinafter, aremovable and adjustable weigth 32 is provided. This weight in thepresent instance preferably consists of a member having a bifurcatedlower end, whereby it may straddle the proportioning bar and be slidablymounted thereon or be entirely removable therefrom. A set screw 33 marbe provided for this weight to enter the bifurcation and secure theweight in any desired adjusted position along the proportioning bar.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6 for the detail construction of the feeddispensing means 30, which. is adapted to dispense hard feed, such asgrain, it will be seen that a suspension link 34 connected to a balehinged to a receptacle or hopper 36. This suspension link 84 may beassociated with any one of the apertures 29 in the end of theproportioning bar, as may be found necessary for proper operation of thedevice.

The bottom of the receptacle S6 is tapered inwardly. as at 37, andequipped with a central discharge opening 38. above which in spacedrelation thereto and directly over the discharge opening, is positioneda dome 39. This dome is provided with depending threaded legs 40 whichextend through the tapered bottom of the receptacle and have nuts ellassociated therewith for supporting the dome above the tapered bottom. y

The valve means for controlling the discharge opening so that only apredetermined amount of feed is dispensed from the hopper at any onetime, consists broadly of a double cone valve indicated in general bythe numeral -12. A valve operating rod i3 is arranged vertically toextend through the receptacle. 3t) and the lower end of this rod isslidably mounted, in the top of the dome 3t). and that portion of therod within and below the dome is screw threaded. as at 4.4. This doublecone valve consists of a pair of cone shaped plates and 4t having theirwalls converging upwardly and their apiccs apertured for reception uponthe operating rod 43. A pair of nuts 47 are provided for each coni-alplate and are threaded upon the rod 43 to clamp opposite sides of theapex of each plate for securely retaining the plates in the desiredrelationship upon the rod.

The upper cone 45 is arranged within'the receptacle above thedischargeopening to operate within the dome iit) and below lhe same; thedome being provided to permit free movement of the cone within thereceptacle or hopper when it is filled with feed. This cone 45 in anon-dis ')ensing position is adapted to be arranged above the bottom ofthe hopper and within the dome, and when the receptacle moves to a dis'iensing position. this upper cone 45 moves downwardly until the bar 25engages the pin 11 whereby the upper cone is prevented from engaging thebottom of the hopper.

The lower conical plate 46 is larger than the upper cone 45 and isadapted to be arranged below the bottom of the receptacle. In Figure 6,the lower cone 40 is illustrated in engagement with the edges of thedischarge opening for closing the same. and it will be observed fromFigure 5 that this lower cone is adapted to move downwardly with theco-opcrating cone 4;) when the receptacle is moved to dispensingpositioi'i.

The operating rod 111 heretofore referred to has its upper portion isotl'set so that: its upper terminal -19 will he loosely received in anaperture 50 in the end of the proportioning bar, beyond the link El i orpoint of g a I F V suspension of the hopper 3t). llns relativearrangement of the suspension points of the hopper and double cone valve4'3 is mrcessary in order to provide for proper operation of the device.\Vith the hopper 3t; charged with feed, and the end of the bar 25 towhich the homiier is connected. arranged in an upwardly inclinedposition, the valve means will assume the position shown in Figure ti,with the lower cone closing the discharge opening of the hopper, and theupper cone 45 arranged well up within the dome 3t. \Vhen this end of thebar swings downwardly, it will be obvious that due to the arrangement ofpoints of suspension of the hopper and the valve means, the operatiiiing rod 43 will be HlOVGCl further downwardly than the rece jitacle asthe latter moves in this direction, and, accordingly, the lower cone towill be moved downwardly away from the discharge opening of the hogperto permit contents of the latter to be disclmrged. The downward movementof the hopper S6 limited by the bar engaging the pin ll, which abutmentprevents the upper cone to from seating on the bottom oi the hopper. itis to be noted that the lower cone is. due to its shape, provides, ineii'ect, a scatterii'lg means whereby the feed being dispensed troin thehopper will. be spread and scatterciil over a relatively large area.

The dispensing means 31 carried by the other end of the propm'tioningbar 25 is of ditl'erent Lt'orn'i, it being particularly adapted todispense solt teed, such as mash. This particular dispensii'ig meansalso consists broadly of a tubular hopper 51, having a bale hingedthereto, with which is connected a link 53 for suspending the dispensingmeans from any one of the apertures 29 in the other end of the barUnlike the dispensing means on the other end of the bar. this dispensingmeans 31 is not adapted to discharge the feed upon the ground, but,instead, permits stock to feed directly out oi the same. Consequently,this dispensing means is provided with a trough 54, which, in thepresent instance. is circular in cross section to correspond with thetubular hopper 51, it being noted that the trough is arranged.concentric to the hopper and has its rim or upstanding wall arranged inspaced relation to the walls of the hopper in order to provide spacebetween these two members for the stock to feed out of the trough. Thistrough provided with a plurality of depending legs 55 for support of thefeed ing means upon the ground. I

The connection between the trough and hopper performs a three-foldfunction. This connection consists if a plurality of rods 56, eachhaving a looped portion pivotally connected with the lower edge oi? thehopper or. and the outer end of each rod is screw threaded and adaptedto pass through an opening in the rim of the trough. A not is, o't coarse. provided for the threaded end or each rod and is adapted to engagethe exterior surface of the trough rim for preventing); the trough frombecoming disconnect .il from the hopper when the dispensing means iselevated from. the ground. The inner end ot each rod 56 beyond its pivotportion 57 is provided with an inwardly extending coiled or convoluted.portion 5?), which is adapted to extend at an incline upwardly into thelower end of the hopper to form an agitator.

The three-told ilunction provided by these cormecting members 536 first,that they n'ovide a connion between the hopper and trough which may beadjusted to vary the space between the hopper and the bottom of thetrough for controlling the amount of feed dispensed from the hopper;secondly, these rods 56 form division members for the trough forpreventing the stock from entering the trough and scattering thecontents thereof, and, third, the extensions 59 form agitating meanswhen the feeding device strikes the ground and causes the trough to moveupwardly, thereby swinging the rods 56 and causing the agitatingportions it) to move through the feed in the hopper.

Other agitating means are also provided tor the hopper in the suspensionmeans therefor, and come into operation automatically upon thedispensing means striking the ground. This agitating means consists oi.a vertically disposed rod 60 mounted for vertical movement within thehopper 51 centrally thereof, the lower end of the rod being slidablymounted in a suitable guide 61 provided on the bottom of the trough 5i.Interposed in this rod (50 adjacent its lower end and near the agitatingmeans is a coil spring 62. Theupper portion of the rod (50 is laterallyollset, as at 625, and the upper terminal (Sat thereof is looselymounted in a perforation 65 provided in the propertioning bar 25 beyondthe point of suspension of the hopper 31. As in the other term ofdispensing means 30, when the end of the bar 25 moves downwardly, itwill be obvious that the rod (it) will be moved downwardly in the hopper51 to agitate the contents thereof.

In the operation of the device, as illustrated in Figure l, thepropertioning bar set with respect to the fulcrum member 19 so thatapproximately equal quantities of the different kinds of food in the twodispensing containers will be fed to the stock. However, assuming thatit.- is desirable to feed. the stock, say three pounds of soft feed ormash to every pound of hard feed, the set screw 2% will be loosened andthe fulcrum bar will. be adiustei'l or slid through the fulcrum blocktoward the clis iensing means 31 until the graduation having the mark onthe left hand end of the bar is disposed within the fulcrum blockapproximately at the center of gravity thereofv \l ith both dis pcnsingmeans empty, the weight is then positioned upon the left hand end of thebar so as to bring the two'empty hoppers or dis pensing means to abalance. This weight 32 merely provided to balance the empty hopperswhen being tilled so that they will run empty simultaneousl The pin 11is removed to permit the hopper 36 to move down *ardly sufiiciently topermit the upper cone elf) to seat upon the bottom of the hopper toclose the outlet opening 38 in order to prevent dispensing of feed whenthe hopper is being tilled. The hoppers and 51 may int) (ill

then be filled with approximately equal (piantities of the differentkinds of feed, and upon. manual depression of the hopper 50 it, iscaused to dispense the predetermined quantity of hard feed, thedispensing means 31 having the soft feed will counterbalance the weightof the dispensing means 30 on the other end of the bar, due to thearrangement of the bar with respect to its fulcrum. As soon as thedispensing means 81, as shown in detail in Figure 7, strikes the ground,the trough 54- will be moved upwardly of the hopper 51, thereby causingthe connecting members 56 to swing upon their pivots and move theagitators 09. The pin 11 is then inserted in the proper aperture 16 sothat the dispensing means 30 can be moved downwardly when itcounter-balances the dispensing means 31, and still will limit theswinging movement of the fulcrum bar to prevent the upper cone 45 fromclosing the discharge opening 38 when the dispensing means is dispensingfeed.

This dispensing device 31 remains in contact with the ground until thestock has eaten suflicient of'the soft feed to cause the otherdispensing means 30 to counterbalance the weight of the dispensing means31, or, in the present example, until approximately three pounds of thesoft feed has been consumed by the stock. At this time, the dispensingmeans 30 will be heavier than the. dispensing means 31, and will,therefore, coimterbalance the dispensing means 31,

ca'using it to be elevated from the ground while the dispensing means 30moves toward the ground. During this movement of the dispensing means,the double cone valve will. be operated to cause an imi'ncdiatedischarge of the predetermined quantity of hard grain feed from thedispensing means 30, after which and because the dispensing means 30 hasbecome lighter, causes the dispensing means 31 to then counterbalancethe dispensing means 30, elevating the latter and cansing the former todescend to the ground to again permit the stock to consume the desiredproportionate amounts of soft feed before the dispensing means 31 againdescends to permit further dispensing of hard grain from the dispensingmeans 30. This alternate operation of the feeding means continues aslong as the dispensing means remain charged with suflicient quantitiesof feed, it being appreciated that some period of time elapses beforethe stock have eaten the requisite amount of soft feed to again causedispensing of more hard feed.

it is to be particularly noted that the fulcrum pin 21 is arranged belowthe bar 25 in order to prevent the bar 25 from ever becoming balanced orreaching an equilibrium. This is accomplished by reason of the fact thatthere is more weight of the fulcrum member above its fulcrum pin than below it, and, consequently, when the bar 25 swings to shift the positionsof the dispensing means and begins to enter an equilibrium, the inertiaof the bar 25 will cause the weight above the fulcrum pin to shift tothe other side thereof, this added weight being sullicient to causecontinued swinging movement of the bar, thereby preventing it frombecoming balanced during operation of the device.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 8, theproportioning or fulcruin bar 25, corresponding with the proportioningbar in Figure l, is provided wih the same arrangement of gradnations asthe part 225, and besides is provided with a plurality of perforations66 arranged at spaced intervals lengthwise of the bar. A i'uicrumed pin(3? is adapted to extend through any selected perforation (56 in thefulcrum bar, depending upon the proportion of the different kinds offeed desired to be dispensed, and this pin (31' also passes through afulcrum member 68, having its lower end formed to slidably mount theproportioning bar Pins 11 may be positioncd at opposite sides ofthcmember (58 to limit swinging movement of the bar 25.

A weight 32' corresponding to the weight 32in Figure l is provided andadapted to be adiustably associated with a bar :25 for bringing the sameto balance when the device is being made ready for operation.

Instead of the dispensing means being connected directly with the endsof the proportioning bar, as in Figure 1, provision is made in thisembodiment for connecting the dis 'iensing means indirectly with thep10- portioning bar by attachment thereof to the upper end of thefulcrum member (LS. A pair of clamps are adjustably associated with theupper end of the fulcrum member 68, and each has connected thereto oneend of a cable 70. A pair of pulleys Tl are suitably supported atopposite sides of the fulcrum, and a separate cable is passed over eachpulley, as shown. Each cable has 21 depending portion 72, with whichconnected a dispensing receptacle of any suitable kind, such as anordinary pan or tray, or a more elaborate dispensing means, such asshown in the preceding form of invention. It is obvious that theoperation of this embodiment of the invention is substantially the sameas that of the preceding form of invention.

It is to be understood that the invention is not. to be limited to theexact arrangement; specified and illustrated therein, or to the shape orsize of the various parts, as the illustrations herein are intended onlyfor illustrations of the principle involved in the invention.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described, coin- Ion prising a pair of feedcontainers adapted to be alternately moved to dispensing position, andmeans associated therewith for causing the containers to be alternatelydisposed in non-dispensing position by gravity when a predeterminedquantity of feed has been dispensed therefrom.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of feed containersadapted to be alternately moved to dispensing position, and meansassociated therewith for causing the containers to be alternatelydisposed in non-dispensing position by gravity when a predeterminedquantity of feed has been dispensed therefrom, one of said containersbeing movable to dispensing position to permit stock to feed directlytherefrom to remove a predetermined quantity of feed therefrom.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of feed containersadapted to be alternately moved to dispensing position, and meansassociated therewith for causing the containers to be alternatelydisposed in nondispensing position by gravity when a predeterminedquantity of feed has been dispensed therefrom, one of said containersbeing immediately returned to non-dispensing position as soon as itreaches dispensing position.

f. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of feed containersadapted to be ilternately moved to dispensing position, and fulcrumedmeans connecting the containers for causing them to be alternatelydisposed in non-dispensing position by gravity when a predeterminedquantity of feed has been dispensed therefrom.

5. A stock feeder con'iprising a pair of dispensers, and means formounting said dispensers whereby they will be alternately moved todispensing position by gravity by counter-balancing each other when apredetern'iined quantity of feed has been dispensed by either one ofsaid dispensers.

6. A stock feeder comprising a pair of feed dispensers adapted tocontain several feedings to be successively dispensed, means formounting said containers whereby they will be alternately moved todispensing and non-dispensing positions and said means be ing adjustablewhereby proportionate feedings can be dispensed by the dispensers.

7. A stock feeder comprising a fulcrum bur, feed dispensers connectedthereto at opposite sides of the fulcrum point, said bar beingadjustable at its fulcrum to any desired point whereby proportionateamounts of the feedings may be dispensed.

8. A stock feeder comprising a fulcrum bar, feed dispensing meansconnected with the same at opposite sides of its fulcrum, and said barbeing adjustable with respect to its fulcrum.

9. A stock feeder comprising a graduated fulcrum bar, feed dispensingmeans connected with the same at opposite sides of its fulcrum, and afulcrum member adjustably associated with said bar.

10. A stock feeder comprising a fulcrum bar, feed dispensing meansconnected with the same at opposite sides of its fulcrum, a fulcrummember adjustably connected with said bar and having a. plurality ofvertically spaced fulcrums.

11. A stock feeder comprising a support, a fulcrum member pivotedthereto and having an opening disposed above its pivot, a fulcrum barslidably mounted in said opening, and feed dispensing means connectedwith said bar and arranged upon opposite sides of said pivot.

12. A stool; feeder comprising a support, a fulcrum member pivotedthereto, agraduated fulcrum bar adjustably associated with said fulcrummember, a weight adjustably associated with said bar, and feeddispensing means connected with said bar at opposite sides of saidfulcrum member.

13. A stock feeder comprising a support, a fulcrum member provided witha plurality of pivot pin openings, a fulcrum pin adapted to extendthrough any one of said openings for fulcruming said member upon saidsup port, a fulcrum bar associated with said fulcrum member, and feeddispensing means connected with said bar.

14. A stock feeder comprising a fulcrum bar, a pair of feed dispensingdevices connected therewith, and means for agitating the contents of oneof said dispensing devices upon movement thereof to a dispensingposition.

15. A stock feeder comprising a fulcrum bar, a pair of feed dispensingdevices connected therewith, and means for agitating the contents of oneof said dispensing devices and causing discharge of the other dispensingdevice upon movement of the dispensing devices to their dispensingpositions.

16. A stock feeder comprising a pivoted bar, a feed dispensingreceptacle suspended from said bar and having a discharge opening, avalve for said discharge opening, and a valve stem connected to said barbeyond the point of suspension of said receptacle and having connectionwith said valve for automatically causing the same to uncover saiddischarge opening upon downward movement of said bar.

17. A stock feeder comprising a receptacle adapted for vertical movementand to be arranged at times upon a support, and agitator means connectedwith said receptacle and adapted to be automatically moved uponengagement of the receptacle with said support.

18. A stock feeder comprising a hopper; a dispensing trough associatedtherewith; and means connecting said hopper and trough and forming meansfor adjustment of the trough with respect to the hopper, means forsub-dividing the trough, and means for agitating the contents of thehopper.

19. A stock feeder comprising a hopper, a trough carried by the hopperand adapted for vertical movement to engage a. supporting surface; atrough; and men'ibers pivotally connected to the hopper and havingconnection with the trough for the support of the latter and for itsadjustment relative to the hopper, said members including agitat ingelements extending into the hopper and adapted to be moved by the troughengaging said supporting surface.

20. A stock feeder comprising a balance, and a pair of feed dispensersassociated therewith and adapted to alternately move set my hand.

GHILDS C. PARTLOXV.

